Northampton Town are expected to seal the permanent transfer of a winger, before the transfer window comes to a conclusion at 11pm on Tuesday.

The Cobblers are yet to pick up a victory since their relegation back to League Two, and have lost three of their first five matches across all competitions – but their issue has been putting the ball in the back of the net.

Across those five outings, Northampton have only scored once – and that was at the weekend as they were held by Gillingham with the goal being scored by 20-year-old Logan Briggs.

Therefore, it should come as little surprise that the club are targeting at least one attacking option to strengthen their side before the window comes to an end.

Northampton Town poised to land free agent

Northampton are one of just six EFL sides that have managed just one league goal so far this season, and have their work cut out if they are to improve over the coming weeks.

One player that has emerged on Northampton Town’s radar is former Plymouth Argyle loanee Owen Dale, who remains without a club after his summer departure from the League One side.

However, according to journalist Alan Nixon, winger Owen Dale is set to join Northampton on a free transfer, just weeks after a proposed permanent switch to the Pilgrims fell through after terms couldn’t be agreed.

The 27-year-old made 31 appearances across all competitions for Plymouth Argyle last season, contributing to five goals and featured against the Cobblers on the final day of the season.

Dale has made over 200 career outings in the EFL with the likes of Crewe Alexandra, Portsmouth and Oxford United but hasn’t played in the fourth tier since the 2019/20 season.

Due to him being a free agent, the winger can join Northampton at ay side outside of the transfer window – but a deal to take him to Sixfields is expected to be confirmed shortly.

Can Dale add the goals that the Cobblers need?

Although the 27-year-old has registered over 200 EFL appearances, Dale has never been a prolific goal-scorer, hitting double figures once in his career – during the 2020/21 campaign, scoring 12 times.

However, Dale has had more luck as a provider, regularly setting up more goals than scoring, and can play on either side of the pitch – though is more comfortable on the left-hand side.

Since leaving Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 2021, Dale has struggled to find a place to settle, having played for five different clubs in five years – thus the likely requirement of him wanting to find a move that allows him to settle and build upon once again.

In League Two thus far, Northampton have created the joint-second fewest chances, rank 19th for fewest crosses but interestingly rank first for successful dribbles per 90 minutes (9.7). Therefore, there is an argument that Northampton are in the market for a wide player that can beat players but create opportunities with crosses into the box – thus also creating more chances and increasing the likelihood of scoring more times.